Marvin Melius
November 4, 1919 ~ March 25, 2008
Marvin Melius, 88, of Faulkton, passed away, Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at his home.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30a.m., Wednesday, April 2 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton with Father Joji Itukulapati officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with full Military Honors. Visitation was held from 1:00-7:00p.m., Tuesday, April 1 at the Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00p.m.
Marvin was born on November 4, 1919 in Faulk County to William and Julia (Arendsee) Melius. Following high school graduation, Mr. Melius joined the U.S. Navy in May 16, 1939. He was a Torpedoman who achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Marvin was stationed on the U.S.S. Ralph Talbot when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Marvin manned a machine gun during the attack and his destroyer was later ordered out of the harbor to prepare for more anticipated attacks. He was later involved in battles at Midway, Guadalcanal and Leyte Gulf. In 1943 he was transferred to the U.S.S. Jenks and that destroyer, with others, was involved in the capture of the German U Boat, the U-505 off the east coast of Africa. The U-505 is on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Marvin was honorably discharged after the war ended in October 17, 1945.
On October 2, 1945, Marvin married Letitia Moreland of Clifton, NJ and the couple then moved to Faulkton where they farmed until retirement in 1991. Letty died in 1997. Marvin was a past President of the South Dakota Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and a member of the Task Force Guadalcanal 22.3, the American Legion and the VFW. Mr. Melius also belonged to the Lakeside Country Club and St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton. Marvin was an avid sportsman, bowler, golfer and he truly loved farming. A voracious reader, Marvin was especially interested in history, politics and natural science.
Marvin is survived by his four children, Robert, of Topeka, KS, Ken (Sue) of Pierre, Nancy (Ron) Adkison of Blanding, UT and Michael (Mary Beth) of Rapid City; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren, brother Orvil (Irene) of Faulkton and sister Joetta Swanhorst of Cresbard.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Letty, six brothers, seven sisters and one infant grandchild.
Honorary pall bearers include his fellow members of the South Dakota Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton was entrusted with his arrangements.
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Dear Cousins: Bob, Ken, Nancy and Michael
I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I will never forget seeing Uncle Marvin in his Navy uniform, with Uncle Hilton, walking up the driveway at my parents home in No. Hollywood. That was 60 years ago and the image remains. He will be missed.
The four of you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers.
sincerely, JoAnne (LaVerne’s dau)
I was so sad to hear of Marvin’s passing. While you can take comfort in the fact that he passed in peace, living still on his own in his house, I am very sad for another of this great generation of Melius’ pass on. As Tom Brokaw stated in his book, this generation truly was “The Greatest Generation.” I am thinking of all of you as you go through the grieving process—my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I will always remember Uncle Marvin as a quiet, gentle man. I have memories of visiting the farm as a child and of course getting into all kinds of mischief!
One of my second grade students wrote to Marvin last year to thank him for serving our country Marvin took the time to write back and thank the student for his letter. It meant a lot to my student (and to me).
I will remember you all in my prayers and will always remember the day Marvin died (my birthday). I wish I could come for the funeral, but won’t be able to. God Bless!
Linda (Keefe)Rentschler and family
I would like to send my prayers and thoughts your way. It was a treasured memory to be able to attend the Melius Reunion last summer. That would have been the last time I saw and spoke with Marvin. Again, my deepest sympathy to all that have been touched by his life here on earth.
Marsh
Sorry I am unable to make it back for the funeral, and I will be with you in prayer and thinking of you all than and in the future. Your Dad led a quiet life and relaxing one. The weather could of been nicer but we don’t have control of that. Bless you all.
Marvin’s sister (Joetta Swanhorst)
Will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. You have my deepest condolences.
Dear Cousins: Our sincerest sympathies on the loss of your father and our uncle. Letty and Marvin have quite a golf course now to play to their hearts content. From all of us here.
Marvin was a cousin of mine whom I held in high esteem. Our Dad’s families were close and I always enjoyed visiting your larger family as we could always make up a team to play any game we wished. We did get into mischief too!
I was so proud of Marvin when he served our country in the U.S. Navy. The family had great representation in the Armed Forces!
I wished to join from high school but my parents weren’t in accord at the time.
My sympathy to all in the families.
Eila
Matthew, Sue and I extend our sympathy to you, Bob, Ken, Nancy and Michael. I have only the fondest memories of both your father and mother. Uncle Marvin’s life was one lived with integrity. Lance
Nancy, Bob, Kenny, and Michael,
I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s death. I have many fond memories of “overnights” at your house. Your dad was always so kind and tolerant. Keep your memories close.
Thinking of you… Lori
Our sympathy in the loss of your father. As a fellow Pearl Harbor Survivor I plan on attending the funeral, weather permitting.
Floyd and Mary Meek
Grandpa,
Yours was a great story. Your life and your wisdom instilled in us all a deep respect for different and often, harder times. You lived honorably. I will miss you.
Love and Graditude,
Andre
I would just like to say how happy I was to see and talk to Uncle Marvin last summer at the Melius reuion. It was good to see you too, Ken. My heart goes out to all of you. As life goes on, my memories of all those that have gone home to there Maker, shall never die. God bless you greatly, Marvin Melius! Phil
Ken and family,
So sorry for your loss. Your father was a true American hero. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Steve King
My sincere sympathies for your loss. Your dad was a great inspiration for me when I came into this territory as a State Farm Agent. Our many coffee sessions at the FARM will remain with me always. His positive attitude was a tremendous lift to all who knew him.
To the family of Marvin Melius.
Sometimes there are no perfect words, only thoughtful silences that whisper softly of caring.
I have only the most cherished memories of hunting pheasants with Uncle Marvin.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Gene & Joan Steinley
Ken, Robert and family, we want to express our deepest sympathy on the death of your father. We know he will be missed by his family, friends and those in the community he has touched over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, we are so sorry to hear of your loss.
Jody Iseminger and the employees of Western Mechanical Service Inc.
So sorry about Marvin. I know he was a wonderful father & grandfather. After reading the obituary I learned what an honorable man he was. You certainly have many memories to look back on to remember him. We’re thinking of you today and you have our deepest sympathy and prayers.
Bobby, Kenny, Nancy an Michael,
Seems like an end to era is upon us with only two of the siblings left.
I realize how lucky not only we were to grow up in the country surrounded by all of our relatives but my daughters appreciate having had that same experience. Always knowing Uncle Marvin and Aunt Letty were just up the road if we needed them was quite a security blanket for my girls. Your parents were two of the kindest, gentlest people I have known.
My thoughts are with you as we all grieve Marvin’s loss.
Requiem (by Wendell Berry)
We will see no more
the mown grass fallen behind him
on the still ridges before night,
or hear him laughing in the crop rows,
or know the order of his delight.
Though green fields are my delight,
elegy is my fate. I have come to be
survivor of many and of much
that I love, that I won’t live
to see come again into this world.
Things that mattered to me once
won’t matter any more,
for I have left the safe shore
where magnificence of art
could suffice my heart.
In the day of his work when the grace of the world
was upon him, he made his way,
not turning back or looking aside,
light in his stride.
Now may the grace of death
be upon him, his spirit blessed
in deep song of the world
and the stars turning, the seasons
returning, and long rest.
I was sorry to hear of Marvin’s passing and want to express my sympathy to all of you. I did not know your dad well, but he always seemed to be kind, humane and honorable.
Neal Arneson
My sincere sympathy to all of you on the loss of Marvin. I so remember all of the good times we had as kids, when we would come for a visit. I really had trouble trying to remember who all the uncles, aunts, and cousins names were and to try and figure who belong in which family. Such fun times. Take care and Love, Cheryl
We feel grateful to have known Marvin. He was a wonderful man who was deeply loved by his family & friends. We will miss him.
Love, Stan & Cheryl